DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man was arrested and charged with several felonies after a homemade explosive detonated in the cities southside.
According to the Des Moines Police Department, just before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, authorities were called to the 2800 block of SE 14th Street on reports of a domestic dispute.
During the investigation, officers learned 40-year-old Tristen Berlin had gone to the home of his former girlfriend and brought the homemade explosive device with him. People in the home reported that Berlin entered the home with the device. Police say at some point the device had detonated outside the home, causing minor injuries to Berlin.
Officers secured the area and device and requested assistance from the DMPD Bomb Squad and Crimes Against Property Section arson investigators. Bomb squad technicians rendered the device safe at the scene.
Authorities say technicians and detectives inspected the device and found it to be a metal lunch container containing materials designed to ignite or explode when opened.
Berlin was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail, where he was charged with,
- Arson, 1st Degree – Class B Felony
- Burglary, 1st Degree – Class B Felony
- Possession of an Incendiary or Explosive Device – Class B Felony
The Des Moines Police Department, with assistance from ATF agents, is continuing an investigation into this incident.
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